Holiday Fund

It's Not Too Late To Make A Donation

January 31, 2008

The "holidays" may seem like a distant memory as January draws to a close. But it's only now that the Daily Press puts its Holiday Fund to bed for the past year. That gives potential donors, who may have felt strapped themselves during the giving season, a little time to recoup and rethink their ability to contribute.

For the needy, the seasons meld into one long struggle of making ends meet. Reports both locally and nationally are that giving is down, that food banks are hurting for supplies and that homeless shelters are overflowing. In essence, that the needy are growing needier and that those able to help are more reluctant in the face of a softening economy.

So, it's impressive that Peninsula residents have dug into their pocketbooks to the tune of $125,000 for the 2007 Holiday Fund ---- but it's still a few thousand short of its goal of $150,000.

Apart from the documented needs of the recipients, another excellent reason to give is that for every dollar contributed, the McCormick Tribune Foundation makes a 50-cent match, multiplying the impact for our local community. So the current balance of $125,000 donated by readers already returns to Peninsula charities as $187,500 in goods and services.

Today is the official deadline for 2007, but contributions are accepted ---- and matched ---- all year.

TO DONATE

Holiday Fund contributions can be mailed to:

The Daily Press Holiday Fund

P.O. Box 746 - MP 1105

Newport News, VA 23607

Donations can also be delivered to the Daily Press' main office at 7505 Warwick Blvd., Newport News.

Contributors can also charge donations at 1-888-683-4483 or online at dailypress.com/holidayfund.